Accra:The New Patriotic Party (NPP) claims that the Foreign Affairs Ministry paid significantly more than market rates for charter flights used to evacuate Ghanaians from South Africa amid xenophobic violence.
According to Ghana Web, documents released by the Ministry under Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa indicate that each of the three charter flights cost $750,000, totaling $2.25 million to transport approximately 900 evacuees. The NPP argues that the industry standard for similar flights, such as those from Ethiopian Airlines or Air Tanzania, ranges from $180,000 to $300,000 per flight. Based on these figures, the total cost should not have exceeded $900,000, suggesting a discrepancy of at least $1.35 million.
During a press conference, NPP National Communications Director Dennis Miracles Aboagye stated that the reported expenses resulted in an approximate cost of $2,500 per passenger. He noted the absence of invoices, contracts, or operator details, despite the Ministry's statement that the flights were arranged. The NPP alleges the first three flights were operated by Ethiopian Airlines through an intermediary and may have been overcharged by close to $300,000 each.
The party demands the Ministry disclose the charter operator, detail the selection process under the Public Procurement Act, and allow an independent audit of the evacuation accounts. They have given the Minister a seven-day deadline to present all records to Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee. Minister Ablakwa asserts that all documentation is available and no funds are missing from the operation.